Signal system



0. M. KENNEDY.

SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAYH, 1916.

1,349,001. dAug- 10,1920.

b 3 SHEETHM 1 M- -wm\ 1. Lifi '7 4 Z WITNESSES.

aim TTOR/VEYS D. M. KENNEDY.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI I, 1916- Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

llllll rl D. M. KENNEDY.

SfGNAL SYSTEM.

APPUICATION FILED MAY 11, 1916- 1, 849,00 1. Patented Aug. 10 1920.

3 SHEET SSHEET 3.

ALLY/1 TTORA/E r5 pointed out in the claims at the end of ITED STATESPATENT OFFlCE.

DEWEY M. KENNEDY, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

raaaoei.

Application filed May 11,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DEWEY M. KENNEDY, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented. certain new and usefulImprovements in Signal Systems; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the same reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andto the reference characters marked thereon.

My invention relates to signalsystems and particularly to electricallycontrolled railroad crossing signals adapted to be operated by movingtrains crossing or approaching a highway. One of the objects of theinvention is to provide a highway signal at a railway crossing normallyin clear position and adapted to be operated by an approaching train tocause the operation of a train signal indicating to the engineer thatthe highway signal at the crossing has been operated to signal theapproach of the train. A further object of the invention is to provide ahighway signal at a railroad crossing normally in clear position andadapted to be operated to danger position by an approach- --ing train,said signal being connected with a 'second signal for slgnahng thetrain, the

second signal being adapted to operate only after the highway signal hasbeen operated. A. still further object of the invention is to provide ahighway crossing signal adapted to be operated from clear to dangerposition by an approaching train and back to clear position when thetrain passes said crossing. To these and other ends the inventionconsists in certain improvements and combina tions of parts all as willbe hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being thespecification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a highway crossing showing therelative positions of the highway and train signals;

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating in section the circuit closing andbreaking mechanism diagrammatically arranged and connected for operationby a train passing over the mechanism at the crossing; s

Fig. 3 is a View in elevation showing the connected train and highwaysignal operat ing mechanisms; the latter being shown in section: I

Specification of Letters Patent.

' BEISSUE Patented A11 10, 1920.

1916. Serial No. 96,902.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of controlling thecircuit for the highway signal lamps;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on line a.a of Fig. 3 showing thehighway signal in danger position and its operating mechanism in lockedposition;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the highway signal and circuitcontrolling mechanism for the same;

Fig. 7 is a detail View showing a portion of the highway signaloperating mechanism in its initial locking position;

Fig. 8 is a similar View showing the mcehanism in unlocked position;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the lamp box taken online 0-0 'of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on line bb of Fig. 6 with thehighway signal moved to danger position, and

Fig. 11 is a similar sectional view taken with the signal moved to clearposition.

Similar reference characters throughout the several views indicate thesame parts.

In carryingout my present invention I provide a system of electricallycontrolled train and highway crossing signals, the latter being adaptedto be operated upon the closing of an electric circuit by some portionof a moving train approaching the crossing, and the former by theoperation of the highway signal. In the present instance the circuitcontrolling the highway signal is adapted to be closed by means of oneof the wheels of the train passing over a circuit closing mechanism.However, if desired, this mechanism can be readily operated-by anysuitable projection carried by the train and arranged to contact withsaid mechanism. Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 represents aroad or highway which is shown as crossing a railway track 2. A

I hi hwa si nal 3 is shown at the crossin and said mechanism becomesinoperative for any ger position thereby indicating to the engineer thathe is to proceed cautiously or stop the train according to whateverrules he may be working under. If the engineer receives a clear signaland proceeds across the highway the train will operate a circuitbreaking member 7 and-the signals 3 and 4 will be returned-to normalposition in a manner which will presently be described. The highwaysignal 3 is shown at danger position in Fig. 5 and the train signal atclear position in Fig. 3. The highway signal is pivotally mounted uponspaced upright members 8 connected at their upper ends by a shaft orbolt 9 having reduced ends 10 extending through the upright members andrigidly secured thereon by the nuts 11. The

. shaft is preferably provided with reduced avhen the signal is in aclear position.

bearing portions adapted to pivotally receive the spaced signalsupporting frame bars 13 and 14 brought together and connected uponopposite sides of the shaft as indicated in Fig. 6. The bar 13 ispreferably terminated at its points of connection with the bar 14, whilethe latter is extended to receive a counterbalancing weight 14 at oneend and the signal 3 at the other end. The signal camprises acylindrical lamp box 15 having centrally positioned spaced openings 16arranged to be covered interiorly of the box by a transparent ring 17preferably formed of glass adapted to permit the illumination of thesign boards or plates 18 by the lamps 19 which in the present instance,are the white lights which are arranged to be lighltpd eflecting rings20 are positioned upon opposite sides of the lamps 19 as shown in Fig. 9for throwing the light upon the sign boards to illuminate the same. Anysuitable words of warning may be placed upon the sign boards asindicated in Fig. 5. The sign boards 18 are connected above and belowthe lamp box by pins or bolts 21 and are sup ported upon the frame bar14 and an extension 22 thereof by the connecting pins 23 as shown inFigs. 5 and 6. The lamp box 15 is supported between the sign boards orplates 18 by means of the braces 24 extending upon opposite sides of theplates into engagement with the box upon the exterior wall thereof. Theends of the lamp box are closed by means of the transparent plates 25 asshown in Fig. 9. The operating mechanism for moving the highway signalis preferably inclosed in 'a box or casing 26 and comprises an electricmotor 27 upon the shaft 28 of which is mounted a pinion 29 meshing withthe teeth of a segmental gear plate 30 rigidly mounted upon'a shaft 31.The shaft 31 is provided with a pinion 32 the teeth of which engage avertically positioned rack bar. 33 which is held in engagement with thepinion by a roller 34 on. a shaft 35. 'The upper end of the rack bar ispivotally connected at 36 with the frame bar 14 as shown in Fig. 5.Movement of the rack bar downwardly by the operation of the motor willmove the highway signal to substantially its lowermost position as shownin Fig. 5, the signal being returned to normal or clear 'position by theaction of the weight 14 when the gear plate 30 is released from thelocked position shownin Fig. 8 in a manner which will presently bedescribed. The operating mechanism for the train signal 4 is the same asthat for the highway signal 3 and detail description of the parts will,therefore, not be necessary. In this instance the rack bar 33 ispivotally connected at 37 to the arm 38 which is pivoted at 39 to theupright 40. The arm 38 carries a paddle 41 which is of sufficient weightto normally balance the spectacles 42 and hold the signal in dangerposition when not operated to the position shown in Fig. 3 by the motor43 inclosed within the casing 44.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 31 isa segment 45 normally held in theposition shown in Fig. 5 by a spring 45*, the segment being held againstdownward movement by a stop pin 46. The segment 45 is provided with acontact plate. 47 carrying the insulating blocks 48 and 49. Contactfingers 50, 51 and 52 are carried by an insulating block 53, the fingers50 and 52 being adapted to normally enga e the plate 47 as shown in Fig.8, while the fin er 51 engages the insulating block '48. pon operationof the motor the gear plate 30 is rotated and the pin 54 moved intoengagement with the segment 45 to lift the segment to-the positionindicated in Fig. 7, at which time the finger 51 will begin to enga ethe contact plate 47. When this is done t e ma net 55 will be cut intothe motor circuit t rough conductor 56, contact finger 52, switch plate47, contact finger 51 and conductors 57 and 58. The motor 27 is operatedwhen the track switch 6 is closed by an approaching train in a mannerwhich will be hereinafter described. As the gear plate 30 and pinion 32are rotated the rack bar 33 is moved downwardly to move the signal 3 tosub-' staintially the position shown in Fig. 5. The gear plate 30 isprovided with a notch 59 and opposite the notch a beveled face 60 isformed upon the segment 45. An arma-' ture 61 is pivoted at 62 and isnormally held in the osition shown in Fig. 5 by a spring 63. he armatureis provlded with a downward projection 64 and when said armature ispulled up by the magnet 55 the "projection 64 rides upon the bevelededge locked at this time by the projection 64 entering the notch 59 asshown. Positioned upon the frame bars 13 and 14 are insulating blocks 65supported by a bar 66 interposed therebetween. Upon one of theinsulating blocks are supported the contact fingers 67 and 68 which restupon the rings 69 and 70 respectively. The rings are mounted upon theshaft 9 and are insulated therefrom by the insulating members 71. Asimilar insulating member 72 is mounted upon the shaft 9 and carries aring section 7 3 which is adapted to be normally engaged by a contactfinger 74 on one of the insulating blocks 65 when the highway signal 3is in clear or normal position as shown in Fig. 11. A similar contactingfinger 75 is adapted to engage the ring section 73 when the highwaysignal is moved to substan-* tially extreme dan er position as indicatedin Figs. 5 and 10. Vithin the lamp box 15 I provide preferably uponopposite sides of the clear signal lamps 19, two series of red lamps 7'7and 78, the series 77 being connected to the contact fingers 68 and 75by the conductors 79 and 80 respectively, and the series 78 to the samecontact fingers by the conductors 81 and 82 as clearly shown in Fig. 4.The white or clear signal lamps 19 are connected to the contact fingers67 and 74 by the conductors 83 and 84 respectively.

A. magnet 85 is supported by the uprights 8 and is arranged to beenergized when the motor 27 pulls the highway signal 3 to dangerposition. At such time the magnet 85 serves to close the circuitcontrolling the motor 43 which operates the train signal 4 to releaseposition as shown in Fig. 3. However, this signal is not operated untilafter the motor 27 on a separate circuit, has been operated by closingthe switch 6. Une end of the magnet 85 is connected to the contact ring'70 by the conductor 86 and the other end to a conductor 87. lVith thehighway signal operated to danger position as indicated in Figs. 3 and4, current will flow through conductor 88, contact segment 73, finger75, conductors 80 and 82, lamps 77 and 78, conductors 79 and 81, contactfinger 68, conductor 86, magnet 85, and thence through conductor 87, itbeing understood that conductors 87 and 88 may be connected with anysuitable source ofv current supply. When magnet 85 is thus energizedarmature 89 which is normally held down by a spring 90, will be pulledup and the circuit controlling the motor 43 will be closed at which timethe train signal 4 will be moved to clear position. When the armature 89is pulled up current will flow from conductor 88 through conductor 91,armature 89, contact 92, conductor 93, motor 43, conductor 94 and thencethrough conductor 87. Vith the highway signal in clear position currentfor lighting the lamps 19 will flow through conductor 88, ring segment73, contact finger 74, conductor 84, lamps 19, conductor 83, contactfinger 67, ring 69, conductor 95 and thence through conductor 87. Thecircuit controlling the highway motor 27, as previously stated,comprises a separate circuit from that which is adapted to light thehighway signal lamps and operate the train signal motor 43. Themechanism for controlling the circuit for the motor 27 comprises thecircuit closing switch 6 and the circuit breaking switch 7 as well asthe magnet 96 and armature 97. The closing switch 6 comprises a casing98 provided with a bottom cover plate 99 upon which rests suitableinsulating material 100 for insulating a contact block 102 provided witha groove or slot in which is positioned a slide 103 carrying a contactspring 104 normally resting upon the insulating material 100 as shown inFig. 2. The slide 103 is connected with a rod 105 slidably mounted uponthe casing 98 and extending therethrough and pivotally connected at 106to one end of an arched resilient member 107. The other end of thearched resilient member is pivotally connected at 108 to a rod 109slidably mounted upon the casing 98. The resilient member 107 is)referablv an arched s)rin arraiwed to.

normally project above the track rail 110 in position to be depressed bythe wheel 5 of a train moving upon the track. The circuit breakingswitch 7 is similar to the switch 6 except that it normally remains inclosed instead of open position. It comprises the casing 111 and thecover plate 112, the latter being arranged to support the insulatingblocks 113 and 114 which carry the slotted or grooved guides 115 and 116respectively. The guide 115 is adapted to receive a contact slide 117which is arranged to be moved by the slidably mounted rod 118 pivoted at119 to one end of an arched spring or resilient member 120. The otherend of the resilient member is pivoted at 121 to a slidably mounted rod122 which carries a slide 123 movable upon the guide 116. The slide 123is provided with a contact spring 124 which normally engages the slide117 which is movable upon depression of the spring by the wheel of atrain going in one direction while the slide 123 is movable upondepression of the spring by a train going in an opposite direction.Movement of the parts in either case will cause the contact spring 124to ride upon an insulating block 125 carried by the slide 117 at whichtime the circuit for energizing the magnet 96 will be broken.

It will be understood that as the train passes over the resilient member107 and moves the spring 104 to engage the contact 101 that current willflow through conductor 131, magnet 96, conductor 127, circuit closingmechanism 6, conductors 128 and 129, circuit breaking mechanism 7,conductor 130, contact finger. 50, switch plate 47, contact finger 52,conductor 56, motor 27 and thence through conductor 126, the conductors126 and 131 being adapted to be connected with an suitable source forsupplying current. hen the magnet 96 is energized the armature 97, whichis normally held down by the spring 132, ispulled up and as the wheel 5passes over the resilient member 107 and the latter returns to normalposition the circuit through the closing mechanism will be broken. Atthe same time current will flow through conductor 131, magnet 96,conductor 133, armature 97, conductors 134 and 129, circuit breakingmechanism 7, conductor 130, contact finger 50, switch plate 47 contactfinger 52, contion of the crossing si ductor 56, motor 27 and conductor126. However, when the train passes over the circuit breaking mechanism7 at the highway crossing the circuit just described will be broken andconsequently the magnet 55 deenergized, at which time the armature 61 isreleased and the weight l4 then returns the signal 3 to normal position,the signal 4 being also returned to normal position at the same time.

Although I have shown the train signal 4 as comprising a paddle 41 andspectacles 42 it will be understood that any other suitable type ofsignal ma be substituted and automatically controlle by the operation ofthe highway signal. The circuit closing mechanism6 it Will be observedis so arranged that the same will be operated by a train passing in onedirection only, while the circuit breaking mechanism 7 will be operatedby a train passing in either direction.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric. signaling system for railway crossings, a trainsignal, a crossing signal, electrically controlled mechanism for movingthe crossing signal from clear to danger position arranged to becontrolled by a train approaching the crossing, means forcharacteristically illuminating the crossing signal for danger whenmoved to danger position and means connected with the illuminating meansfor operating the train signal, the operation of said last mentionedmeans being dependent upon the illuminaa 2. In an electric slgnalingsystemv for railway crossings, a tram signal, a crossing signal, meansfor moving the crossing signal from clear to danger position arranged tobe controlled by a train approaching the crossing, means forcharacteristically illuminating the crossing signal for danger whenmoved to danger position, means connected with theilluminating means foroperating the train signal, the operation of said last mentioned meansbeing dependent upon the characteristic illumination of the crossing sinal, and means for releasing said signals. a apted to be controlled bythe train passing the crossing. 1

3. In an electric signaling system for railway crossin s, a trainsignal, a crossing signal, means or imparting movement to the crossingsignal arranged to be controlled by a train approaching the crossing,means for characteristically illuminating the cross-' ing signal for-danger when moved, and means connected with the illuminating means foroperating the train signal, the operation of said last mentioned meansbeing dependent upon the characteristic illumination of the crossingsignal.

4. In an electric signaling system for railway crossings, a tram signal,a crossing signal, means for causing the characteristic illumination ofthe crossing signal for danger arranged to be controlled by a trainapproaching the crossing, and means connected with the illuminatingmeans for operating the train signal, the operation of said lastmentioned means being dependent upon the illumination of the crossingsignal.

5. In an electric signaling system for railway crossings, a trainsignal, a crossing signal, electrically controlled operating mechanismfor the crossing signal, an electric circuit for efiecting operation ofthe crossing signal mechanism controlled by a train approaching thecrossing, a normally open electric circuit provided with a magnet andadapted to be closed to effect a characteristic danger illumination ofthe crossing signal when the latteris operated by said mechanism and anormally open electric circuit for controlling the operation of thetrain signal arranged to be closed by the magnet in the last mentionedcircuit.

6. In an electric signaling system for railway crossings, a trainslgnal, a crossing signal arranged to be controlled by a trainapproaching the crossing, a normall open electric circuit includinglamps for e ectlng a characteristic illumination of the crossing signalto indicate danger arranged to be closed upon operation of the crosslngsignal mechanism and means connected with said circuit when closed foroperating the train signal, the operation of said means being dependentupon the illumination of the lamps.

7. In an electric signaling system for railway crossings, a tram signal,a movable crossing signal, electrically controlled operating mechanismfor said crossing signal arranged to be controlled by a trainapproaching the crossing, electrically controlled operating mechanismfor the train si nal, a normally open electric circuit contaming lampsfor illuminating said crossing signal to indicate danger and adapted toi be closed upon movement of the latter, a magnet in said circuit, anormally opien electrio circuit for controlling the train signal leaseof said locking mechanisms and indeoperating mechanism arranged to beclosed pendent means for returning each of said by said magnet, meansfor locking each of signals to normal position.

said signal operating mechanisms upon op- DEWEY M. KENNEDY, eration ofthe same, means controlled by a Witnesses:

train passing the crossing to effect the open-. HENRY W. HALL,

ing of said circuits and'the consequent re- FRANCIS JERnoNn, J r.

